It is not my habit to write letters to the editor; however, with the runoff election before us, I thought I should share my experience and perspective of our current Mayor Steve Brown.

When Steve initially ran for mayor, I only knew him through various articles written to the opinion column of the newspaper. I had also observed how he conducted himself in a City Council meeting, in which I was in attendance, where Steve showed great character in response to verbal attacks of the administration serving at that time.

As is true in many aspects of life, I do not always share the same views as Steve; however, it is important that someone provide a perspective that may be lost in the negative comments of those who oppose him.

The first time I personally met Steve was when he accompanied a group of players from the professional basketball team that calls Peachtree City home, to a Sunday morning church service. Steve’s purpose in joining them was to provide support and seek to bring these men into a sense of community as they lived out of motel rooms, which they called home during the playing season.

The second time I met Steve was at the home of one of our senior citizens as we served her during the first Community Action Day. We worked side by side in the pouring rain, with a number of other volunteers, providing a cup of compassion and hope to one in need. We also served together in the second annual Community Action Day, where a number of additional citizens experienced the love and concern reflected by our city.

In both of these opportunities I observed Steve’s genuine interest in the needs of Peachtree City’s senior citizens and in those not as fortunate as so many of us.

Most recently I had the opportunity to join Steve in serving our community and the artists during 4Nights in October 2005 at the Frederick Brown Amphitheater. Steve initially could only volunteer for one night of service due to running behind in the re-election campaign.

He had shared that his campaign materials were running late from the supplier and sensed he would need to make up lost time. Steve’s campaign material arrived on Oct. 7; however, other than taking Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in distributing this material, he chose to return to the Amphitheater each night and serve our community, joining in a larger purpose than one election.

As a side note, I agreed to have one of his re-election signs placed in my yard, and it was vandalized, as were a number of other of his signs around our community.

Each of us needs to make informed decisions and it is essential that we go to the polls on Dec. 6. Might I encourage you not casting your votes based on what you have read, but on what you know.

As for me, I believe Steve Brown embraces the values and integrity that I desire in our city’s leadership. If you share my concerns for our youth, senior citizens, and integrity in government I trust you will consider Steve Brown and cast your vote accordingly on Dec. 6.

Jim Hooper
Peachtree City, Ga.

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